3,500' upper elevation gain with 45 degree consistent climbing. Class 2-3, porters fixed a couple of 100 meter lines vertically and horizontally, to safeguard against the few hungry crevasses. Huge 400' rock wall traversed about 2/3 the way up, called Yanasacha. Perfect lava dome volcano with a straight forward approach. Set out at midnight after spending comfortable evening at Jose Ribas base camp 15,800'. 7hrs later reached the summit with tiny breaks in the clouds but remaining high humidity and low visibility. A bit windy enough to justify breathing thru a tight balaclava. A wonderful high altitude nirvana at 19,347'.

Great, fun climb higher up on the glacier. I loved the way the trail undulates up and down and around the ice features. We had a beautiful day for a climb, really lucked out. Summited at 0815. Trip report

We couldn't even see the crater, but it was one of the best moments in my life, being up there with Andres (my brother) and a bunch of climbers and guides like Gaspar Navarrete and Gabriel Llano (+) who let us follow them up with generosity.

Gabriel Llano died years later while guiding a pitch in Cordillera Real Bolivia. It was great to share moments with him and the rest of climbers.

This was the beginning of countless trips to Cotopaxi. (My first time on Cotopaxi's top)

Incredible climb. My first roped-up, high elevation, glacier climb (>5000m). I hitchhiked into the park, walked to Laguna Limpiopungo, attempted Cerro Ruminahui the next day, spent two days climbing up the road to the refugio, and rested a whole day at the refugio before attempting the summit. Perfect weather, a full moon, and a wonderful night. Reached the summit too early, waited at the ice cave/wall and the crater's edge to catch sunrise. And what a view. Floating on a bed of clouds, with only the other 5000m volcanoes shining in the distance.

Much nicer day this time--perfect views. Long day (14hrs) as we waited at several times for hrs to help our slower teams. Way down was crazy as some people were dead--one guy was so screwed up we had to give him dex.

Ecuador is a beautiful country with beautiful people. Our group was unsuccessful on Cotopaxi - moving too slow/I got an upset stomach from our guides 'idea' of dinner. Note to self: always cook a dinner you know your stomach can handle before a summit climb - I always bring a dinner from the States for that purpose.

Climbed with Haliku and Axe. The weather was beautiful as we left at midnight, but worsened as we climbed, deteriorating to a whiteout by daylight. We pushed on though and summitted at around 7 am. I don´t remember when the snow started coming down, but it was with us all the way back to the hut. Glad to have done this one.

My favorite mountain in Ecuador. By far the most beautiful and interesting terrain. It was also the fastest to climb. Summited a little under 5 hours. Perfect weather, almost no wind, with a perfect boot track. If it hasn't snowed in a while, I don't think you need a guide here. There are so many people climbing the mountain. On our summit day we summited with 3 other groups of 5 each. No one had a guide.

The initial slopes have steep switchbacks which opens into crevasse fields, seracs and 50 degree slopes. Without the boot track this would be a much harder mountain to navigate and climb, but with the boot track it's pretty easy with climbing experience.